The Korean War

Paper Summary:

This paper relates that the battle of control of "Heartbreak Ridge", like most battles glorified by the media of the time, is filled with nothing but half truths and downright lies; in reality, it was nothing more than a pawn for the negotiators at the peace tables. The author uses the newly released, under the Freedom of Information Act, "After-action Reports" (DF-214s) by the Department of Defense to graphic report about this "Police Action", which began in 1950, with the cease fire agreement signed and implemented in July, 1953, although a a state of war still exists on the peninsula of Korea. The casualties were heavy and soon the war on the home-front became quite unpopular and a political football; the main thrust of the 1952 election campaign between Truman and Eisenhower was this single issue.

From the Paper:

"This created a salient in the lines which the Chinese quickly capitalized on. They drove Southeastward and cut off the 1st Marine Division and a contingent of other United Nations forces totaling nearly 40,000 from the remainder of the troops. Their only route of escape would be a forced march to the Sea to the port of Tanchon where they could be picked up by Naval forces and be returned to Pusan. This too is where the 2nd Division received its now infamous nickname. Previously and proudly the members of this proud Division proclaimed they were "Second to None." GI's being what they were at this time once they realized what had happened quickly tacked onto the proud motto the words "And First to Run" a motto that has forever stuck with this Division however unfairly attached it is."

More papers on The Korean War:

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• Research Paper # 103904 : "International Relations Paradigms and the Korean War"
• Essay # 57343 : "The Korean War"
• Research Paper # 128591 : "The Korean War"

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